Mid December Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - December 17, 2020

With mid-December here, so is the snow and cold, and it appears winter might have settled in for the season. Water temps on the local rivers (Manistee, Platte and Betsie) have steadily decreased into the mid-30s and has pretty much put the steelhead into a winter funk. There are fish around, but it seems fewer than normal as the second half of fall had a less than average number of fish to play with.

If cabin fever drives you out, focus on the deeper and slower water. Typically winter water would be the primary target when casting nymphs and egg/beads. Fishing under indicators and floats is your best bet in these conditions and those looking to get a tug on a swung fly – your window for success is rapidly closing with these diminishing water temps.

Consider getting a later start to the day and/or fishing after a rare sunny day which might help bump the water temp a degree or two to increase activity, if not make the fishing a little more comfortable.

Fishing reports will likely cease for a while after this one unless we get a prolonged warm-up. Thanks to all three of you that read these throughout the year.

Happy Holidays to you and yours and lets hope 2021 is a much better year for us all – both on and off the water.

Cheers.

Ted

Winter 2020 Newsletter just went out; click here to read.

2021 Fishing – Now booking for all seasons in the New Year. Get your dates and schedule life around fishing.
Gift Certificates – Give the gift of a Fishing Trip or Lesson – Half of Full Days available – they’re easy and fast.

manistee, steelhead, swung fly, winter fishing

“Winter Time, and the fishing isn’t easy”

Posted by Ted Kraimer - January 18, 2020

It’s been a see-saw winter with snow, mild temps, more snow, etc. But the calendar notes it is January and any chance to get out and fish this time of year should be considered a bonus.

Despite the warm-ups, the water temperatures on local rivers remain in the lower 30s. Whether you are looking to fish for trout or steelhead, the name of the game is to fish the slower water where fish are kind of doing the equivalent of hibernating. When a fly comes into their window, they have plenty of time to inspect it so leader size and realistic patterns can make the difference.

If fishing streamers for trout, small sink-tips or floating lines with heavily weighted flies is a good approach for a while until things warm up.

Steelhead anglers will find that fishing under a float or indicator might provide the best drag-free presentation right now; fishing a realistic and action-enhanced hex nymph pattern is one of my favorite flies to tie on this time of year.

Not into winter fishing? Here are some ideas on how to spend the new couple of months until the white landscape is replaced with green.

Good luck.

Ted

June’s Big Bugs – With summer comes some of our best dry fly fishing – don’t miss the Drakes, ISOs and Hex
Fall Steelhead – Spring season is almost all booked so be sure to get your fall dates before they too are gone.
2020 Fishing Season – We are booking dates through 2020 – don’t miss the prime times.

2020 fishing season, fall steeelhead, fly tying, hex nymph pattern, local rivers, steelhead fishing, winter, winter fishing

Winter Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - January 23, 2019

It’s the back half of January and winter has set in with some really cold temps, periodic snow and full-on winter conditions on the rivers. Fishing is limited right now – those needing to shake cabin fever are finding the occasional steelhead on the Betsie and Manistee river. Water levels and clarity are fine, it’s just that the water temp is in the mid 30’s and shelf ice is starting to form. As usual, look for fish in the slower, deeper water because the fish too have the winter blues and are just chilling on the slow side of the current.

Not into breaking ice out of your guides every couple of casts? Then, instead tie flies/take a class, reorganize your vest and/or gear bag, read a book or watch videos on fly fishing – the weather is perfect for these activities. The days are getting noticeably longer which reminds us that Spring Steelhead season kicks off in mid-March which isn’t that far away.

Good luck on and off the water this winter.

Ted

Upcoming:

Spring Steelhead – Mid-March through April. Hit the water for this annual rite of Spring to start the fishing year.
Trout – May and June offers some of the best trout fishing of the year matching the hatch and fishing streamers.
Booking 2019 – Reserve your date(s) and schedule life around fishing rather than trying to fit fishing into life – booking all species/seasons for 2019.

Betsie, betsie river, manistee river, trout fishing, winter fishing, winter fly fishing

End of the Year Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - December 20, 2017

It’s the end of the month and year and possibly the season. The long-term forecast is calling for sub-freezing temperatures for a while so it’s going to be a bit before we get another warm-up and allow for some tolerable weather on the river. But stayed tuned – a little sun, no wind and temps above freezing can make fishing a treat after too many holiday parties or time visiting the in-laws.

Steelhead are in pretty much all of the local rivers including the Manistee, Betsie and even a few in the Boardman. With water temps in the mid to low 30’s, the fish have mostly taken to their winter holding areas which include deep, slower holes and around structure like wood, deeper pockets or both. It’s a good time to work on that drag free drift and fish below a float/indicator but since we are targeting “Fall” fish that have become “winter” fish, they will still chase a swung fly – just slow down the swing and target some softer water.

For those interested there is a recap/summary of this year’s fishing which can be read in the Winter Newsletter .

Thanks to all of you that joined me on the water to help make 2017 a great year. All the best to you and yours this Holiday Season and throughout the New Year with lots of time spent on the water.

Ted

The Winter/Holiday Newsletter just went out – click here to read and/or subscribe.

Gift Certificates – With the Holiday Season near, give or ask for the gift of time on the water or a lesson.
2018 Dates – Now booking for all seasons in the New Year. Reserve your dates and plan life around them!

betsie river, boardman river, gift certificates for fly fishing, manistee, season recap, steelhead, steelhead fishing, swung fly, winter fishing

Late November Trout and Steelhead Fly Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - November 23, 2015

The weather finally realized what time of the year it is as temps dropped and so did some white stuff. The water temp on the Manistee below Tippy dam is still in the low 40s which makes it ideal for both steelhead and trout fishing. More steelhead have entered the system since the past report and they are relatively spread throughout; word has it that other rivers like the Betsie, PM and Boardman also have more fish in them as well. Fresh fish continue to trickle in and some of fish are starting to get a hint of color that show’s their relation to rainbow trout. This also means that fish are beginning to transition to some holding water rather than mostly runs which has been the primary focus of anglers so far this fall.

As steelhead move around, target all types of water including holes, tail-outs, structure and around wood. Now is a good time to fish indicators/floats, swing a streamer/spey fly, or even cast streamers for steelhead. Streamer fishing the lower Manistee for trout remains good with 3-4″ baitfish patterns working well when olive and natural sculpin/goby patterns aren’t and hold on tight if a steelhead grabs the other end of your 6 wt. streamer rod – you’ll know it. The water levels are o.k. but are running clear – drop down in leader size and/or consider using fluorocarbon especially when the sun is out.

Don’t replace your fly rods with snow shovels just yet – there is still some good fishing to be had – especially if the predicted mild El Nino keeps temps moderate.

Happy Thanksgiving and Good luck,

Ted

Late Trout – Brown trout fishing into late December can be some of the best streamer fishing of the year.
Fall Steelhead – Look for the good fishing in Nov. & into December for steelhead on the Manistee River.
Gift Certificates – With the holidays just around the corner consider giving or asking for some time on the water.

manistee river, spey fly, steelhead, steelhead fishing, Streamer fishing for trout, thanksgiving, tippy dam, trout, winter fishing

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Posts tagged "winter fishing"